For people who enjoy cooking, making treats for the family is one way that you show your love for them. But what about your furry feline friends? Some pet owners don't realize that it is possible to make homemade snacks for your pet, as long as you stick to ingredients that are safe for your cat to consume. Take a look at some tasty treats that you can make at home to give your cat a little extra treat.

Tuna Puffs

Canned tuna probably piques your cat's interest whenever you decide to make yourself a tuna sandwich. And, while it's better for your pet to stick to cat food for a meal – canned tuna can't provide all the nutrients your cat needs – you can let them enjoy a taste of your tuna with these simple treats.

All you need is a can of tuna, a cup of flour, a half-cup of water, a little parsley, and an egg. Some pet owners worry about giving eggs to their cats, but relax – eggs are actually a good source of protein for your cat. They should only be eaten cooked, and should be served in moderation, but using eggs to make homemade cat treats won't hurt your kitty.

Simply add the ingredients to a food processor and blend to make them into a dough. If it looks too sticky, add a bit more flour. Dust a counter with flour and roll out the dough. Then use a bottle cap or other small cookie cutter to make cat-sized treats. Cook the round puffs on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Before serving the treats to your cat, make sure that you let them cool all the way. You don't want your pet to burn its tongue. Since they contain tuna, don't leave them out – store them in the fridge in a container with a tight lid.

Beef Crumbles with Catnip

Does your cat hover near the oven when you're cooking up burgers or meatloaf? Ground beef is another great source of protein for cats as long as you choose lean ground beef – too much fat can cause your cat indigestion. However, the spices and sauces often added to ground beef to make it tasty for humans often aren't good for your cat.

All you need to do is mix a pound of ground beef with two eggs and a couple of teaspoons of catnip. When the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes or so, until browned. Drain the grease, allow the meat to cook, then crumble.

You can serve this by itself as a snack, or you could crumble it over your cat's food for a special dinner.

Crispy Salmon Cookies

Wheat or corn flour is commonly used in both homemade and commercial pet treats. While a small amount of flour won't hurt your pet, cats don't get much, if any nutrition from carbohydrates and too much of it can be unhealthy. The ingredient that gives this treat its crispy consistency is coconut flour, which is good for your pet's digestion and contains beneficial fatty acids.

In a food processor, blend a cup of coconut flour, a can or a small pouch of salmon (make sure there are no bones) an egg, and a tablespoon each of olive oil, water, and catnip. This should produce a powdery dough that is less sticky than most doughs.

Roll bite sized pieces of the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Cook them at 350 degrees for between ten and fifteen minutes. They should be lightly browned and dry on the top when you take them out. Let them cool before serving, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container.

It's a good idea to get a veterinarian from South San Diego Veterinary Hospital’s input on your cat's diet. Your vet can ensure that your pet's dietary needs are being met and give you guidelines to follow when making homemade food or treats.